Congress poll debacle is Rahul Gandhi`s defeat: Raman Singh

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Thursday said the poor show by Congress in the recent assembly polls is the defeat of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi because he was the face of party`s poll campaign.

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Thursday said the poor show by Congress in the recent assembly polls is the defeat of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi because he was the face of party`s poll campaign.

"BJP won in three states while leading in one (Delhi) and I congratulate the people for this. Congress lost in four states and this is Rahul Gandhi`s defeat," Singh told reporters at a press conference this evening.

During his visit to Chhattisgarh for campaigning, Rahul had claimed that it should be regarded that he himself is contesting the election from the state and he even appointed party observers at several places.

His entire team was roped in to win the election but people voted for BJP, Singh said. Exuding confidence about BJP`s victory in next year`s Lok Sabha election, he said, "The assembly elections proved that the NDA will come to power after the Lok Sabha election. Narendra Modi will become Prime Minister and Chhattisgarh`s BJP will contribute to his victory by winning all 11 Lok Sabha seats in the state".

During the 2009 Lok Sabha election, the BJP had won 10 out of 11 Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh, he said.
Speculations were rife about anti-incumbency factor in the wake of a huge turnout but results clarified that high voting may also take place due to a pro-incumbency factor, Singh said.

Replying to a query about his Cabinet, Singh said that a decision on Cabinet portfolios will be taken within a week and Cabinet formation may take place in two phases.

Handing over the BJP`s poll manifesto to Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar for execution of poll promises made by the party, Singh said, "All the promises made by the party in its manifesto will be fulfilled as early as possible and efforts have already been started".
He said that he wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today to provide Rs 2,100 per quintal as support price to farmers for paddy. Besides, Rs 300 per quintal bonus for paddy would be given to farmers from this season, he said.
Procurement of minor forest produce, an insurance scheme for farm labourers from December 25, conversion of 400 forest villages to revenue villages and supply of rice at Re 1 per kilo to 47 lakh poor families are other schemes in the manifesto which were announced today.